When it’s cold outside, one way to help reduce heating costs is to close air registers in rooms that are rarely occupied so the heated air can be redirected to rooms you do use. But if you end up closing more than 50 percent of the registers in your house, your good intentions could literally backfire. This can complicate the flow resistance system of your HVAC, which can lead to complications and costly repairs. Instead, count how many registers you have and only close up to 20 percent of them to save energy and avoid damage to your system.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Yes, canned soup can be a fast and convenient way to have a warm meal in minutes, but many tin cans are lined with a nonstick coating called Bisphenoal A, or BPA. This coating is necessary to prevent spoilage of product inside cans, but it can also be an endocrine disrupter. If you want to avoid BPA when buying soup, look for soup packaged in glass, aseptic cartons or cans marked “BPA-free.” You can also look up recipes online to make homemade soups that are easy to freeze and reheat.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It may be more of a moral question, but with many supermarkets now offering self-checkout at the register, be sure to always weigh and mark what produce you actually get. Generally, conventionally grown fruits and veggies cost less, and yes, they look just like the organic ones. But when you weigh and pay for your produce, don’t try to save some money by saying it’s conventional at checkout. The market keeps track of purchases and will notice if organic produce isn’t selling. Less sold means less stocked. And less stocked means less incentive to growers.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION